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Krystin Husz '12: "I was looking for a school with a strong Classics program." |
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Husz (left) has traveled twice to the Agora. |
Choosing a college was one of the toughest—and ultimately most rewarding—decisions that Randolph-Macon College student Krystin Husz ’12 has ever made.
“I was looking for a school with a strong Classics program,” says Husz. “I chose R-MC because I was attracted to the unique opportunities it offers, and I thought that it would better prepare me for the next step.” Husz, a
Classics and
Latin major, says that her next step will likely include graduate school. “The small class sizes and close interaction have helped me improve my critical thinking skills, preparing me for life beyond R-MC,” she says.
To read more Student Experience stories, click here.Husz initially thought she would major in art history, but her advisor, Classics Professor Beth Fisher, suggested she focus on one of the ancient languages if she is serious about graduate school.
“Professor Fisher genuinely cares for students and has their best interests in mind,” says Husz. “She has been very supportive in helping me determine what I want to do after graduation, and she always points me in the right direction.”
Husz’ focus on the future is a perfect counterpoint to her appreciation of Classical Studies. The Mechanicsville, Virginia native started taking Latin classes in high school. At R-MC, her interest in antiquity inspired her to travel to Athens to participate in archaeological digs.
The Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, an international philanthropic organization, offers R-MC students the opportunity to participate in
excavations in Athens, Greece. Each year, Professor John Camp II, the
Niarchos Professor of Classics at R-MC, travels with five of his students to the Agora, which once served as the center of economic, social and intellectual life in Greece. Students who participate in the excavation are known as Niarchos Summer Fellows. Camp and his students—along with undergraduate and graduate students from around the world—work for eight weeks at the site, sifting through history and honing their archaeological skills.
Husz participated in excavations in 2010 and 2011. “Nothing compares to seeing the statues and artifacts in real life that you usually see only in textbooks,” says the world traveler. “There are so many sites in Greece. I was even able to dig in Thebes, Greece with Professor Fisher for one week this summer.”
This fall, Husz is studying abroad at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS) in Rome.
The ICCS was established in 1965 and has more than 100 member institutions, including Randolph-Macon College. The ICCS provides students with an opportunity to study ancient history, archaeology, Greek and Latin literature, Italian language, and ancient art.
“I was attracted to this program because it is specifically focused on my major,” says Husz. “I went to Rome during a spring break in high school, but I only spent a couple of days there. It is great to visit again now that I’ve grown up a bit and have an even greater interest in ancient Rome.”
Husz is setting her sights on a career in cultural heritage law. “I am looking at law school and graduate school programs,” she says. “I love the field of archaeology, but I have really become passionate about the ethical issues regarding cultural property, especially antiquities, and how to protect those artifacts.”
For more information about the breadth of programs and opportunities available at Randolph-Macon or to schedule a campus visit, contact our Admissions Office at (800) 888-1762 or at admissions@rmc.edu.